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Overview

Biblical understanding and engagement among today’s Gen Z college students is at a crisis point

The Judson University Students joined the Bible Literacy Project without spiritual, historical, or intellectual knowledge of the bible. Barna indicated that “the percentage of people whose beliefs qualify them for a biblical worldview declines in each successively younger generation: 10% of Boomers, 7% of Gen X and 6% of Millennials have a biblical worldview, compared to only 4% of Gen Z.”

This correlates with the decline in biblical literacy. The American Bible Society reported in their 2023 State of the Bible Report that Gen Z is the least likely to turn to Scripture (30%), as compared to older generations.

Purpose of the Research

Encouraging students to engage deeply with the Bible

The goal of this project was to encourage students to engage deeply with the Bible, and to better understand its importance to their lives and the world. As biblical illiteracy is increasing rapidly in our culture, innovative and appropriate measures are needed to better equip a new generation to read, understand, and apply the truth of the Bible (John 1:1; Joshua 1:8).

The purpose of this study was to understand how an experiential learning opportunity with peers would increase Gen Z student’s awareness, understanding, and engagement of the Bible. The following research questions guided this study:

Primary Research Question

“To what extent does an experiential learning opportunity with peers in a dynamic structure increase Gen Z students’ awareness, understanding, and engagement of the Bible?”

Secondary Research Question

“What approaches and experiences on this trip were eff ective in encouraging biblical engagement in Gen Z students and could serve as a model for future programs?”

Interest and Awareness

Significantly increased their interest in the Bible

The findings from this study confirmed that an experiential learning opportunity does increase most Gen Z students’ interest in and awareness of the Bible.

Out of the 91 responses to this post-survey question, 62 students indicated the experience increased their interest significantly; 26 students indicated it increased their interest somewhat; 3 students indicated it did not increase their interest at all.

Of the three students who indicated their interest had not increased, two indicated in other survey responses that they replied “Not at all” because they were already convinced of the worthiness of the Bible and excited about their faith at the beginning of the trip and that was not changed, but only reinforced by their experiences at the MOTB.

Understanding of the Bible

Understanding of the Bible was exceptional

Responses to the survey question, “How would you describe your understanding of the Bible?” on the pre- and post-trip surveys provided a powerful indicator of the impact of the trip on students’ perceived understanding of the Bible. Eighty-nine students responded to this question on both surveys.

The number of students indicating their understanding of the Bible was “good” or “exceptional” increased from 54% on the pre-trip survey to 92% on the post-trip survey, demonstrating a significant sense of increased understanding after this experience. This result affirmed that an experiential learning opportunity with peers does increase Gen Z students’ perceived understanding of the Bible.

Future Implications

Significantly increased their interest in the Bible

A secondary research question in this study sought to understand “What approaches and experiences on this trip were effective in encouraging biblical engagement in Gen Z students and could serve as a model for future programs?” In the following section, significant findings are discussed for consideration in future biblical literacy and engagement efforts with Gen Z students.

Encouragingly, the top response in the post-trip survey for learning about the Bible was personal study, reading, and learning. This fits with the individualistic nature of Gen Z, and their ability to be self learners, searching for and accessing information that is relevant and interesting to them.

Summary

Significantly increased their interest in the Bible

The analysis from the research data collected showed an overwhelmingly positive response from the student participants to the purpose and methods adopted in the Biblical Literacy Project study. This experience impacted all participants in some way, and truly encouraged and inspired most students to be more engaged with the Bible. The experience improved their understanding of God’s Word and its place in our faith, in human history and, to a lesser extent, in the modern world of culture, science and politics. Many cited the need for this type of learning experience for themselves and their peers.

Leaders and facilitators can benefit from recognizing that no matter how effective this experience, it may not reach some participants to the extent that they express a willingness to change their behavior or attitude toward the Bible (the “un-engageables”).

Primary Research Question

“To what extent does an experiential learning opportunity with peers in a dynamic structure increase Gen Z students’ awareness, understanding, and engagement of the Bible?”

The findings from the surveys, interviews and focus groups overwhelming affi rm that experiential learning, that is visually engaging and interactive with peers and mentors, results in increased student interest, understanding, and motivation to learn more about the Bible.

Secondary Research Question

“What approaches and experiences on this trip were effective in encouraging biblical engagement in Gen Z students and could serve as a model for future programs?”

The research fi ndings indicate that the immersive, visual, hands-on elements of the MOTB trip were very eff ective in encouraging biblical engagement and should be considered as a model for future programs. The MOTB is an excellent forum for instigating important discussions related to biblical literacy and engagement.

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